Santa Cruz: Festival Traditions, Marimba and Culture

Discover Santa Cruz through its festival traditions, special places and the cuisine associated with them. Marimba, masks, rodeos and sculptures offer glimpses into different aspects of local culture. Squares and parks are more than just a backdrop: they shape where traditional celebrations take place and how the history of the town unfolds. If you are planning a trip, these cultural highlights can help you get a sense of Santa Cruz as a destination.

Festivals among streets, squares and the bullring

During the celebration in honor of Santo Cristo de Esquipulas, marimbas play along the main streets of Santa Cruz. Montaderas and bullfights take place at the Redondel de Toros during the celebration. Concerts, patriotic celebrations and retretas are part of the traditional festivities at Plaza José López Zúñiga. Pasacalles and Cimarronas with masks parade between the square and Parque Bernabela Ramos. In this way, music and processions connect several places in the town center.

Traditional festivals also feature montas, rodeos, food stalls and dances at the festival grounds in the town center. The Santa Cruz bullring was built for such festivities; celebrations were also held there from July 21 to 25. The range of activities shows how diverse the festival tradition is, spanning everything from marimba and masked processions to rodeos and dancing.

Parque Bernabela Ramos and its history

Parque Bernabela Ramos can accommodate up to 3,000 people, especially during traditional festivals. Its features include an amphitheater, benches and sculptures depicting various cultural practices from Santa Cruz. The sculptures give the park a cultural connection; the amphitheater and benches are also among its described facilities. Check their condition before your visit.

The history of the site also gives the park a distinctive significance. Until 1920, the square was used communally; after 1920, the cantonal park was inaugurated there. It is named after Antonia Bernabela Ramos Sequeira, who held prayers at this location in May. Its history brings together the transformation of a communally used square and the memory of religious practice. Another historical theme is the image of Christ of Santa Cruz, which was brought from Guatemala in 1840.

Festival cuisine and trip planning

Rosquillas, tanelas (sweet tamales) and sweet coyol wine are prepared for the celebration in honor of Santo Cristo de Esquipulas. For visitors, this culinary tradition offers a distinct way to experience the celebration, alongside the sounds of the marimba and events at the various locations.

When choosing a vacation rental in Santa Cruz, consider which of these aspects is most important to your trip: the festival traditions, the park’s history or the cuisine associated with a celebration. The places and customs described here provide specific points of reference, without suggesting that any one festival covers every facet of the destination.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Sámara, Arenal, Bijagua, Villareal, El Real, Santa Elena, Garza, Guayabo.

For the main travel guide: Guanacaste.